THE troubled Welsh College of Horticulture in Flintshire is to be merged with Deeside College and Newi.

Deputy minister for skills John Griffiths said the move would secure the long-term future of horticultural education in North Wales.

In April, the Assembly Government told the 15 governors at the horticulture college in Northop, near Mold, it had lost confidence in their competence to handle public funds.

A leaked letter suggested the Assembly Government was prepared to remove all the governors.

Now it has been decided the College of Horticulture’s further education (FE) and work based learning (WBL) provision will be transferred to Deeside.

Newi will establish a university campus at the Northop site including, for the first time, dedicated programmes for veterinary students through the medium of Welsh.

The deputy minister said the joint decision between the three governing bodies would ensure the successful continuation and development of land-based and horticulture studies in Wales.

Mr Griffiths said: “We are building strong foundations for the future of education with many colleges being recognised for the excellent educational provision that they provide.

“It is my ambition to see every Further Education institution in Wales succeed. This merger is great news.”

The college recently wanted to extend its £200,000 overdraft to £300,000.

But the Assembly Government highlighted the failure to safeguard its solvency as one of a series of shortcomings.

The college had favoured merger with Newi, while other independent reports, backed by WAG, argued for merger with Deeside College.

Caroline Jones, chair of the Welsh College of Horticulture, said: “The board of WCOH are delighted that, after four years of planning, it has proved possible to secure the future of FE and HE land based provision at Northop to serve both the local and national needs of students and businesses involved in the horticulture and land based sector utilising expertise of college staff and the WCOH brand.”

Paul Williams, chair of Deeside College said: “Putting the needs of learners first is always our priority, and we are therefore very pleased that we will be taking over responsibility for all the Further Education and Work Based Learning provision and related activity.

“We are also looking forward to developing strong links with colleagues working in the land based industry and academia locally and right across Wales, to develop new learning opportunities.”

Brian Howes, chair of Newi, said: “This exciting development will provide an excellent opportunity for the people of Flintshire and the wider rural community across Wales to benefit from having their own higher education campus providing university courses.”

Shadow rural affairs minister and North Wales AM Brynle Williams said: “I have had long-held concerns about the future of the college and very much hope these new arrangements will allow it to flourish.